Editor’s Note: This is a real, recent exchange on a secure messaging app between a Christian concerned about an upcoming questioning from government officials, and believers with more experience than him in these matters. This exchange was both challenging and encouraging to us as Western believers, and also helped us better understand the current pressures faced by many Chinese Christian leaders.  

A little brother, asking for intercession: The national security guard from my hometown traveled thousands of miles to come to the city where I am serving in ministry to interview me. When they called to inform me of this, they did not explain the reason for my interview. They also arrived suddenly, and I was not in my city of service when they came. Now they tell me that, when I return home, I must meet with them.

Teachers and brothers, please give me advice and prayer. Thank you!

Elder Xu: This is all just a guess, because we do not know the inside story of the departments that have come to question you. Again, I’m just guessing.

1. I think that each investigative agency (for example, the Public Security Bureau, police, or National Security) has their own large database. Each department uses the database to issue its own instructions.

2. During politically sensitive periods, such as the [2019] celebration of the 70th anniversary of the PRC or the 20th Party Congress [to be held in November 2022], each department takes actions according to the “stability maintenance tasks” listed as their responsibility.

3. The church is the last organization that exists systematically in civil society and has not been controlled or eradicated. Therefore, the church will become an important part of the daily list of responsibilities of local government departments as they seek to maintain stability. The church has not been marked as a hostile force, but it has probably been marked as an “organization that is easily influenced and penetrated by foreign forces.”

4. When it comes to churches, the government still uses a hierarchical response strategy. Sometimes they will severely crack down on a group or ban it completely; other times they will intimidate and restrict a group. Often they will beat a group; maybe they will use enticing dialogue to try and win over a group; or they may try to transform the group.

5. Due to the different lengths of the lists that need to be dealt with by local intelligence agencies, especially national security, agency strategies for judging priorities according to their needs are also different. In general, churches are not the most important objects of stability maintenance.

6. For some small and medium-sized cities and counties, the list of objects that need to be stabilized and controlled from above is usually not too long. Those smaller cities and counties will pay more attention to churches, especially in special times, because this is directly linked to their bonuses, promotions and other interests.

7. Those on the blacklist are generally not removed. If someone has been listed as the target of stability control, they will experience long-term harassment and blows.

Sister Deng: This is information for you to refer to later:

1. Remember, they are part of the state machine. They are not there to protect you.

2. Their methods are intimidation, deception, and temptation.

3. You have no legal obligation to “cooperate” with their work.

4. Be sure to ask your interrogator about his reasons and legal basis. You don’t have to answer for irrelevant things.

5. You don’t have to rush to prove your innocence. Silence is sometimes more powerful.

6. Know the other party’s full name and ID number. Keep that information for future use.

7. Cut to the gospel – this is a time of epidemic and death.

8. Tell them you would like to pray before you begin the conversation.

9. After the interrogation, ask them what they need to pray for. If the conversation was pleasant, pray for them on the spot.

Little Brother, Elder Xu, and Sister Deng are all pseudonyms for Chinese house church Christians.

FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Pray for this “little brother,” and for all who find themselves uncertain and frightened in positions like his.